Small town Badin, North Carolina and nearby dams on the Yadkin River were built in the early 1900s by ALCOA, an aluminum company. Federal permits to create the dams were issued because of promised employment for the citizens of Stanly County. ALCOA closed in 2007, devastating the town of Badin. Now the state of NC and other parties believe ALCOA should not be re-permitted to operate the dams.

Duke Energy is the largest supplier of electricity to the South and parts of the Midwest. Photos show construction of a controversial addition to Cliffside, a coal-fired plant in North Carolina, protesters who claim the plant is hazardous to air quality, power plants, coal ash ponds, coal piles.

Students at a community college work in a genetics lab. They are learning how to determine whether various food items contain genetically modified organisms. This kind of coursework can lead to a career in biotechnology, medicine, environmental science or other in-demand job fields.

Photographs in this gallery are for Sustain Charlotte's use promoting environmental and social sustainability in Charlotte and the region. Photos must not be provided to third parties. Inquiries regarding that should be referred to the photographer, Nancy Pierce. See the file metadata for caption information and usage limits (if any) . All photo use should include the credit: Nancy Pierce Photo or Photo/Nancy Pierce

Multi-use trails along riparian and rail corridors drive economic development of surrounding communities, provide alternative means of transportation, offer safe recreational outlets for people of all ages and abilities, help people get and stay healthy, and connect people to historic, scenic and other destinations,

Volunteers from a paddling club cleaned litter -- mostly plastic drink bottles-- from an island in the Catawba River in Lancaster County, South Carolina. Litter floats downriver from the city of Charlotte, which is drained by a tributary of the Catawba River. Duke Energy sent a boat to pick up the 55 bags of trash, a dozen tires and various other large trash items collected by the nine volunteers from a local paddling club.